Ninja 250r Purchase question

[Circuitrider]

I was looking today on Craigslist for a Ninja just to keep track of pricing when one caught my eye. It looks to be a 2008 that sat out and doesn't run. Guy is moving and has it listed for $1000. He lists scrapes on one side of fairing that looks nasty but engine isn't too scuffed. He also lists the battery as dead.

If there is a legit title would it be worth it to get it for about $800 and put a couple hundred in the engine? I have a small engine guy that is cheap and would probably just do things for parts. Or is this a nasty scheme that I should stay away from?

I've been reading your thoughts on starter bikes and this would be ideal to have about $1500 in this bike, ride it for a year or two and then sell it for $2000! Anyway, thanks ahead of time for your thoughts, words of caution, and encouragement!

 

[Ssky0078]

Can you post the link to the craigslist ad?

I would be weary of anything more than light scuffing. All sorts of stuff can be tweaked from a crash, the forks, frame, radiator, etc. that you wouldn't necessarily be able to see.

If you go take a look at it take a note of what parts look like need to be replaced. Then get on partshark.com or bikebandit.com and price out the repair costs.

 

[BamBam]

Depends on how many miles as well. It sounds like he crashed at higher than parking lot speed. If it doesn't run I'd be wary, but that might be because of a dead battery and gunked up carbs. A little engine work would probably put it back in good running shape.

$700 is a good offer, don't pay more than $900. but, this is just a preliminary opinion.

 

[Circuitrider]

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/3767230181.html


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[Ssky0078]

Depends on how many miles as well. It sounds like he crashed at higher than parking lot speed. If it doesn't run I'd be wary, but that might be because of a dead battery and gunked up carbs. A little engine work would probably put it back in good running shape.

$700 is a good offer, don't pay more than $900. but, this is just a preliminary opinion.

I always forget about the carb thing because I've only had FI bikes.

Circuit Rider do you have the mechanical ability to take apart a bike for routine maintenance? Do you think you could clean a carb out yoursef?

Another unplanned for expense is maintenance.

I run full synthetic oil and spend about $50 every 2 months on oil chages (I ride about 1500-2000 miles a month). You have spark plug changes. You have throttle body sync's and valve clearance checks.

 

[Circuitrider]

If there is a YouTube video I can probably handle it. Nothing major but routine maintenance I should be okay.


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[Ssky0078]

Ninja 250r


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what is that purple stuff? was the whole fairing cracked there?

Unless you get a smoking deal like $500-$700 I wouldn't do it.

 

[Randomchaos]

Cleaning carbs on a 250 ninja is fairly easy. Done it a few times, as well as re-jetted one after changing to air filter pods. As far as scrapes go, that all looks cosmetic. Would make a great little bike to play on!

 

[Nelly]

I was looking today on Craigslist for a Ninja just to keep track of pricing when one caught my eye. It looks to be a 2008 that sat out and doesn't run. Guy is moving and has it listed for $1000. He lists scrapes on one side of fairing that looks nasty but engine isn't too scuffed. He also lists the battery as dead.

If there is a legit title would it be worth it to get it for about $800 and put a couple hundred in the engine? I have a small engine guy that is cheap and would probably just do things for parts. Or is this a nasty scheme that I should stay away from?

I've been reading your thoughts on starter bikes and this would be ideal to have about $1500 in this bike, ride it for a year or two and then sell it for $2000! Anyway, thanks ahead of time for your thoughts, words of caution, and encouragement!

"If something sounds to go to be true, It usually is............. Walk away mate, it's got horry story written all over it". Why would you have a bike standing doing nothing in the great weather you have over there unless it is well and truly beyond all economic reasoning to repair? The guy could spend the small amount on it and get it running and make a much better margin.

[edit] Having said that, I just looked at the advert and its not quite the dog it first seemed. Ask the guy to charge the battery, if its a runner worth a look.

Neil

 

[FIZZER6]

I would definitely go look at it. If all it needs is some TLC and you can live with scuffed fairings it would be a perfect starter bike.

I'd be inspecting it for frame damage, bend bars, etc. The crash may have been worse than he lets on.

 

[aclayonb]

Carbs are pretty easy, if you remember to bag stuff / take pictures.

Expect to replace cables, turn signals, handlebars, levers, controls, and pegs at least. And tow it home.

Tires might need replacing, all the fluids, etc. BUT! You'll know all about that bike and you'll know how to fix it if something goes wrong.

If the frame is bent or the forks are bent, forget it. Not worth the heartache. Unless he wants to sell it for a hundred bucks.

 

[Hellgate]

Clear title? Unless he has the title, in his name, run away. This thing sounds like a salvage title mess to me. If "Salvage" is on the title, it's worth 50% less than book. I suspect it is. An good '08 will go for $2,700 to $3,500.

 

[Sycotic]

I would def check on the title, I would skip on it though just looking at the pic. Some salvageable bikes are worth it though. Mine has a salvageable title because the dealership knocked it over and because they had to basically disassemble the whole thing to fix it, they had to list it as salvageable. I have a couple marks in my fz6 and its nowhere near what that ninja has cosmetically.

The thing that I found cool is that as a previous poster said, my bike was "worth" less because of the title, but I have full coverage and if I wreck it, I get more than what I put into it lol. So if I want a new bike, I can just wreck this one! :BLAA:

 

[2006_FZ6]

That poor Ninja looks a little rough! I concur on the title thing. If it is not clean, RUN away!

Otherwise, lots of work and expensive plastics to replace.

 

[Hellgate]

I would def check on the title, I would skip on it though just looking at the pic. Some salvageable bikes are worth it though. Mine has a salvageable title because the dealership knocked it over and because they had to basically disassemble the whole thing to fix it, they had to list it as salvageable. I have a couple marks in my fz6 and its nowhere near what that ninja has cosmetically.

The thing that I found cool is that as a previous poster said, my bike was "worth" less because of the title, but I have full coverage and if I wreck it, I get more than what I put into it lol. So if I want a new bike, I can just wreck this one! :BLAA:

But you can never sell it as an "un-slavage" bike. It is always worth 50% less and you don't want to be on the backside of that transaction.

 

[OneCheekRider]

That has track bike written all over it! Wish I was closer, I'd definitely swoop that up!

 

[aclayonb]

Never thought of a 250 as a track bike. I assume people race them?

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[OneCheekRider]

The 250 race grids have been packed while the other classes struggle to get filled due to the economy. Cheapest way to race.

 

[Chickenz]

I'm sure I saw a video on the site of a guy racing one of those against big bikes and he was thrashing them through the corners

 

[aclayonb]

I can believe it. Light, nimble, cheap.... I did see a new CBR250 the other day. Looked pretty sexy but was narrow as hell.